Safety-switch for incandescent lights and other electrically-controlled devices



(No Model.)

. 0. s. BUSSMANN. SAFETY SWITCH FOR INGANDESGENT LIGHTS OR OTHER ELEGTRIGALLY GONTROLLED DEVICES.

wv'bvessee. mew/607'. ww 05 ea? 3.3%5571W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

OSCAR S. BUSSMANN, OI! SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE KERNSTEIN ELECTRIC LIGHT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PORT- LAND, MAINE.

SAFETY-SWITCH FOR INCANDESCENT LlGHTS AND OTHER ELECTRlCALLY-CONTROLLED DEVlCES- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 411,423, dated September 24, 1889.

Application filed October 12, 1887. Serial No. 252,121. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OSCAR S. BUssMANN, of Hamburg, Germany, but temporarily residing at Somerville, Massachusetts, have invented an lmprovemel'lt in Safety-Switches for Incandescent Lights and other Electrically-Controlled Devices, of which the following description, in connection with the accompany ing drawings, a specificatiomlike letters on IO the drawings representing like parts:

This invention has for its object to provide an electric switch of the class employed in an electric circuit to cut into and out of circuit one or several electrically-controlled devices [5 to preserve the continuity of the main circuit or the continuity of both the main circuit and the auxiliary or secondary circuit containing the electrically controlled devices, with an automatic circuit-changing device or 23 cmtactanaker normally held disengaged, but

when released is adapted to preserve the continuity of the circuit, the switch at such time being open.

The invention consists in the combination, 25 with an electric switch adapted to be manually or otherwise operated to cut into or out of circuit one or several electrically-operated devices, of an automatic circuit-changing device or contact-maker normally held inoper- 0 ative by fusible material and adapted to operate and change the condition of the circuitas, for instance, to preserve the continuity of the circuit when the fusible holding or retaining device or material is fused or 3 5 otherwise removed.

This invention also consists in details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully pointed out.

Figure 1 shows in front elevation an elec 4o tric switch embodying this invention, the position of parts being such as to preserve the continuity of the main line and cut out one or several electrically operated or controlled devices, the circuit containing the said devices being closed; Fig. 2, a similar view of the switch, the parts being in the position to open the main line and to cut outthc electrically-controlled devices; and Fig. 3, a transverse section of the switch taken on the dotted line or :0, Fi 1.

The switch is herein shown as circular, and comprises the insulated disk 0, having upon each side two contact-plates to (L2. The said disk is secured to a shaft a having its bearings in the case A and in a bracket or frame A. A hand-crank l) is fixed to said shaft a by which the disk is moved on its axis.

Two conducting-blocks c c are secured to the case A adjacent to each other, each of said blockshaving two contact-pens ciadapted 6c to rest upon the companion contactpplates at each side of the disk. These conductingblocks 0 c are herein adapted to be connected with an auxiliary secondary branch loop or shunt-circuit containing one or several electrically-operated devices-such, for instance, as incandescent lamps. Two other conducting-blocks Z d are secured to the case A adjacent to each other opposite the blocks 6 c, said blocks (Z (1' having each two pens (Z adapted to bear against companion contactplates a at each side as the top and bottom side of the disk or These blocks (Z cl are designed to be connected with the main circuit.

The operation of the switch so far described 7 5 is as usual-viz., with the contact-pens (1 bearing upon the contact-plates a and the contact pens 0 bearing upon the contactplates (L as shown in Fig. 2, the continuity of the main circuit is preserved and a circuitcontaining the electrically-controlled device or devices also closed; but, by simply turning the hand-crank Z) into the position shown in Fig. 2, the contact-pens dibearing one upon each contact-plate a a and also the contac'opens 0, bearing upon each contactplate a a thereby opening the main circuit and cutting in the circuit containing the electrically-controlled devices.

The switch when employed for incandescent o lamps may be located to control the entire series of lamps contained in a single room, for instance.

It sometimes happens that the switch is operated to cut in the lamps or electrically-controlled dcviceswhen, for instance, by accident or inadvertence the circuit containing them is broken, as by a broken filELmGllF-lll which instance the main line would be broken; and,under such circumstances, to preserve the loo continuity of the main line one, or it maybe two, automatic contact-makers are provided in connection with the blocks d 01'. Each contact-maker consists of ablock or spindle having an enlarged head 3 and held in socketsin the blocks 01 d by a fusible retaining device 4. The retaining device 4 consists of material which fuses at a low temperature, and may either partially or wholly cover the end of the block. A spiral spring5 surrounds the spindle or shank of the block and tends to force the same outward when released.

When the switch is operated to cut in the blocks 0 c and the electrically-controlled devices connected therewith, should the linewire connected with said blocks be broken, or should such wire be broken at any time after the switch has been operated, and while in the position shown in Fig. 1, the current upon the main line would form an are between the blocks 01 d, or it may be between the spring-controlled blocks, it they should be nearest eachother, and the material 4 is immediately fused, thereby releasing one or both blocks, which by the spring or springs make contact with one another.

I subscribing witnesses.

I claim- 1. A safety-switch comprising the following instrumentalities in combination: a disk havin g thereon two contact plates or surfaces constituting the movable member, contact-pens d 0 constituting the stationary members, and blocks to which they are attached, a handlever for moving the movable member of the switch, and one or more springcontrolled plugs in electrical connection with one or more blocks, and the fusible retaining device for the plugs, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with an electric switch comprising as a co-operative part of it two blocks d d, of one or more spring-controlled plugs in electrical connection with one or both blocks, and a fusible retaining device for the plugs, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two 7 OSCAR S. BUSSMANN.

Witnesses:

BERNIOE J. NoYEs, B. DEWAR. 

